Barge



April 20, 1965 H. J. STIMSON 3,178,892

BARGE Filed July 30, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l INVENTOR Home! J it inn BY I M ATTORNEY April 20, 1965 H. J. STIMSON 3,178,892

BARGE Filed July 30, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Homer (1.5 tz'm/J'an ATTORNEY April 20, 1965 H. J. STIMSON 3,178,892

BARGE Filed July 30, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Homer d1 Stimson BY W ATTORNEY April 20, 1965 H. J. STIMSON 3,178,892

BARGE Filed July 30, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2/ INVENTOR Homer J Him/Jon ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofitice time Patented Apr. 20, 1965 3,178,892 BARGE Homer J. Stimson, Houston, Tex, assignor of one-half to Robert F. Patterson, Houston, Tex. Filed July 30, 1962, Ser. No. 213,243 3 Claims. (Cl. 61-465) This invention relates to the exploration of offshore and other underwater areas as, for example, the test drilling of underwater formations for oil, gas or other deposits. In the exploration of underwater regions it is essential to provide a stable platform for supporting equipment such as a drilling rig above the surface of the water in such a manner that it will be secure against substantial wave action. In my prior United States Letters Fatent No. 3,022,633. I have disclosed a barge adapted to be moved to a desired location and which, after the completion of the desired work may be moved to another location for further use. That invention features a boom rigidly connected to a hull and adapted to be swung between a horizontal position and a lower position engaging the bottom beneath the body of water with the hull remaining afloat. A platform is pivotally mounted on the hull in such a manner that it can be maintained in a horizontal position regardless of whether the boom is in its horizontal or lowered position. There is thus provided a level work platform above the surface of the Water which affords substantial stability under normal conditions.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the prior patent in that it provides a structure of greater stability capable of withstanding considerable wave action; while retaining the desirable characteristic of being movable from place to place, may also be left as a fixed supporting structure where desired as when a well has been proven productive and a permanent structure is needed at the well site for oil storage tanks and supporting oil and gas separators, pumps and other tools and equipment.

In order to accomplish and/or attain the new objective of providing a plurality of portable barges so arranged as to enable the operator to perform temporary marine work such as drilling operations and, at a later date, enable said operator at his option to either remove portable structure or, with a minimum effort, convert said portable barges into a fixed permanent platform, it will be necessary to employ new principles and features not provided for in Patent #3,0-22,633. Although the principles and devices shown in Patent No. 3,022,633 will be necessary and will be used to accomplish the above mentioned objective, the primary additional new procedures and ideas as listed hereafter will be necessary and will also be employed.

(1) Ballasting and/ or flooding the forward upper portion or main barge compartment after sinking the outrigger legs to bottom of ocean floor, creating a fixed nonbuoyant or partially buoyant barge or barges, as differentiates from Patent No. 3,022,633, whereby the upper ends on barge proper remains afloat at all times.

(2) Two or more barges are used as a cluster with forward ends (barge proper) fastened and secured together; and aft end (outrigger legs) spread at any desired distance one to the other.

(3) Each separate barge and outrigger leg will contain a guide pipe. These guide pipes will provide housing for piling which will be driven into the ocean bottom at the option of the operator.

(4) Each individual barge will have aflixed thereto at the foremost end a buffer. These buffers will transmit the horizontal component of the ballast water mentioned above, more particularly as follows:

Each individual barge will lose all or part of its buoyancy during the last stage of the operation; that is, during the time the main barge and forward part are being flooded with sea water, the vertical component of that weight normally carried by the buoyancy of the barge proper (forward end) will be transmitted down through the barge outrigger legs and onto ocean floor, whereas the horizontal component of said weight will be transmitted laterally through the adjacent buffers and thence through the outrigger legs of adjacent barges onto the ocean floor, creating a fixed structure from what was once a partially floating structure.

To the attainment of the objects and features described, this invention provides a plurality of floats or barges, one of which mounts a work platform in a manner similar to that shown in my prior patent and the other, or others of which may be juxtaposed in end to end relation and disposed to constitute differently directed booms or braces having out ends remote from the juxtaposed ends, with these outer ends engaging the bottom and bracing the platform support from different directions to provide a high degree of stability.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will be made fully apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show a preferred form of the invention. Other forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims will be obvious therefrom.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the structure of the present invention in side elevation with the outrigger booms in submerged position and having their outer ends resting on the ocean floor and their inner ends lashed together to form a rigid support for a work platform.

FIG. 2 is a plan view looking down on the barges while these are afloat and showing the relationship of their juxtaposed ends as these are lashed together. In this instance three barges are used and the work platform is omitted in order to show underlying parts.

FIG. 3 shows, in side elevation, the main barge, or work barge, with its working platform and oil well drilling rig in the position it occupies while the barge is fully afloat as when being moved to location.

FIG. 4 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a fragmentary portion of one of the barges and shows the structure provided at one end of the barge for facilitating its proper positioning and securement of a similar barge.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the main framework or body of a barge outrigger leg or boom and is taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and illustrates details of the bollards used in lashing together the juxtaposed ends of two barges.

FIG. 7 shows a fragmentary section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 shows a section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows a fragmentary section on the line 9-9 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view looking down upon one of the barges and adjacent bollards of juxtaposed barges and illustrating the manner of securing the barge by piling.

FIG. 11 shows a section taken upon the line 1111 of FIG. 10.

Referring to the drawings a number of floats or barges are provided comprising a main barge 15 and one or more auxiliary barges 16 and 17. In the illustrative form shown, there are two of the auxiliary barges but it will be evident that there may be more or there may be only one. The use of the two auxiliary barges in addition to the main float is to be preferred since these, in conjunction with the main float, provide a tripod support for the masses tending columns defining a portion of the frame structure of outrigger boom or leg. They arepositioned in a triangular relationship as may. be seen in PEG. 5 and are interconnected by angularly disposed braces 19. Since the columns 18 may be of some material such as steel tubing, which is of substantial rigidity in itself, the frame provided by the three columns disposed as shown and interconnected by the braces 19 constitutes Structure of great strength against longitudinal and lateral bending or buckling forces. Welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the upper sides of each of the columns 18 is a piling guide 29 which may be formed of steel tubing or similar material of substantially less diameter than that of the columns 18. The guides 26 thus add further strength and rigidity to the frame structure as well as perform'the guiding function hereinafter described. The outer ends of the columns 18 are interconnected by angle bars 21 reinforcing the braces 19, and other angle bars 22 extend inwardly from the lowermost of the columns 18. The lowermost sides of the angle bars 22 lie in the same-plane as those of the bars 21 and define one side of a base structure 23. The base structure 23 includes framework24 supporting a number of buoyant tanks 25 beneath the angle bars 22. The tanks 25 extend transversely to the bars 22 and to a number of serrated flanges 2-6 positioned therebelow and at a small angle to the plane thereof.

The inner or converging ends of the columns 18 support a rectangular frame structure 36 which extends upwardly and rearwardly at an acute angle to the columns I 18. Frame structures 3%) are a structural housing for tanks 36. The size and number. of these tanks will depend upon the weight of the working platform and rig, and these buoyant tanks comprise the main barge or barge proper. Each of the frame structures includes an angle bar 31 having flanges. which close the inner ends of the columns 13. It will be understood that these inner or convergent ends of the tanks lie close to the same horizontal plane from which they diverge into the spaced relation apparent from FIG. 5. The ends of each, of the angle bars 31 are connected by elbows 32 to rearwardly extending angle bars 33. Braces 34 and 35 provide a rigid connection between the bars 33 and the columns 18 and a number of tanks 36 are disposed in the space between the rectangular frame 30 and the columns 18, these being retained in position in part by the braces 34 and 35 and in part by bars 37 secured between the two braces.

A boliard 38 is secured to each of the elbows 32 and each bollard carries a number of tires 39 about the lower portion thereof to function as buffers. A smooth portion at the upper end of each of the bollards accommodates a cable for lashing the floats together in a manner hereinafter described. Channel bars 40 interconnect the angle bars 33 ofeach of the rectangular frame members 30 at points intermediate the ends of these angle bars. On each of the auxiliary barges 16 and 17 an angle bar 41 at the ends of the side bars 33 completes the outer end of the frame and forms with the channel bar 40 a support for an adjustable buffer assembly 42. The assembly comprisesa U-shaped member 43 having a butfer-44 mounted on the outer face of the bend, and also having relatively long arms 45 extending rearwardly of the bend. The arms 45 are slidably mounted in tracks .46 and may beheld in any adjusted position by the shoes 47 which are moved into or out of breaking engagement with the arm 45 by the screws 48. 'The arrangement permits the adjustment of the buffer 44- 'from the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 to an extended position such as seen in FIG. 2, for the purpose of transmitting the horizontal component of the added weight uponflooding compartments 36 after Al having lowered the after end or outrigger legs to ocean bottom. It is also used in facilitating positioning of the barges relative to each other as will hereinafter be described.

As previously stated, the bar 41 is at the outer ends of the side bars 33 ofthe'frames 39 on the barges16 and 17. On the barge 15, the side bars 33 extend rearwardly of the end bar 41, and are'further braced at these ends by the bars 49 which are connected at points intermediate their ends with the outer ends of the side bars 33 and have downwardly extending portions connected at their lower ends to points adjacent the lower ends of the braces 35. Theupper ends of the bars 49 support other frame work in a manner to be described. A pair of posts 50 extend upwardly from the frame 3% of the barge 15 and carry pivots 51 at the upper ends thereof for supporting a work platform 52. As shown, the posts 5d are connected with the frame 30 at points just behind the bollards 38 and are braced by rails 53 which connect midportions of the posts'with the ends of bars 49. Beams 5 and 55 project upwardly from the end of the braces 4*) and from the centralportions'of the rack. 53 to meet at apexes well above the platform 52. Braces 56 inter-i connecting the beams 54 and 55 strengthen the triangular structure formed by the beams and this structure supports a pulley 57 at its upper end. This structure also sup ports a curved track 53 which accommodates a roller 59 projecting from the edge of the Work platform 52. A motor 66 mounted on the work platform 52 drives a cable 61, one stretch of which extends upwardly over the pulley 57 and thence downwardly to an anchoring eye 62 secured on the surface of the platform 52. Another stretch of the cable 61 extends downwardly from the motor 65, over a pulley 63 on the frame 30 and thence upwardly to an eye 64 secured to the underside of the platform 52. By this arrangement, the platform 52 may be rotated on its pivots 51 so that it may be maintained level when its supporting float 15 is in either the position shown in FIG.

'1 or'in the positionshown in PEG. 3 or any intermediate position.

The platform 52 may be used to support such apparatus and structures as are needed for the particular operation in hand. In the example shown, the platform supports a well drilling rig 65 with its auxiliary equipment and a deckhouse 66 for the storage of tools, machinery or for the living quarters of the crew.. Pumps and valves are also provided for selectively filling and discharging'the tanks of each barge.

In operation, the barges 15, 16, and 17 may be towed to location, at which time they'are afloat in a generally horizontal position as illustrated for the barge 15 in FIG. 3. The auxiliary barges 16 and 17 will float in a similar position except that neitherof these will be provided with the platform 52 and its associated structure. On arriving at the desired location, the barges will be maneuvered into the relative positions shown in FIG. 2, the buffers 44 having been extended from the retracted position shown in FIG. 4. The tanks 25 of the main barge 15*are flooded bringing the outer end of the barge on or adjacent the bottom. The columns 18 of this barge may then be more or less flooded depending upon the degree of buoyancydesired at this stage. The same procedure is followed successively with the auxiliary barges 16 and 17. As the tanks 25 of these auxiliary barges are successively flooded so that the outer 'ends thereof sink, the adjacent buffers 39 of the main and auxiliary barges are brought into contact as :are adjacent portions of the respective buffers 44. There is thus a two-point contact between the main barge and each of the auxiliary barges which facilitates the positioning thereof relative to each other. It will be understood that the distance to which buffer is extended'will depend upon the number of barges or floats to be assembled in one group. In the instance o he buffers are extended for the proper distance to facilitate the assemblage of three barges or floats, i.e., one main and two auxiliary barges. Where four barges are to be used, the buffers 44 are adjusted farther out in the proper position to facilitate the assemblage of adjacent barges at right-angles to each other. As the lower ends of the auxiliary barges approach or touch the bottom, the several barges are lashed together by cable wrapped over bollards 38. Further flooding of the columns 18 and 36 permits the assembled structure to rest firmly upon the bottom with the serrated flanges or plates 26 digging into or sunk therein. The buoyancy of any one of the legs of the support formed by the assembled barges may be adjusted independently of the others by increasing or reducing the flooding of the tanks of that leg. This permits a compensation for differences in consistency of the bottom to the end that one leg will not tend to sink into the bottom more than the others.

As the outer end of the barge sinks from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 1, the motor 60 acting through the cable 61 swings the work platform 52 on the pivots 51 to maintain the platform in a substantially horizontal position. After the barges have assembled into the position shown in FIG. 1, the upper flotation compartments 36, or the barge proper, is ballasted by filling same with sea water. The vertical component of this weight of ballast water is transmitted laterally down through the leg or outriggers 18 onto the ocean floor, and the horizontal component is transmitted horizontally through the buffers 44, thence down the outrigger legs of adjacent barges to ocean floor creating a fixed platform.

It will be understood that in the assembled position shown in FIG. 1, the structure may be more or less buoyant as desired and as conditions may require. That is to say, the structure may be substantially afloat with little or no weight resting on the bottom. The adjustment of the degree of buoyancy may be effected by varying the amount of water in the tanks 36 or in the upper ends of the long columns 18 or both. It will also be understood that one or more anchors may be used as shown in my prior patent cited in the foregoing. The bottom of outrigger is to be provided with anchor fair leads and equipment necessary to run anchors from bottom of the legs. Under some conditions it may be desirable that substantial weight be applied to the lower or bottom contacting ends of the structure to insure that the serrated flanges 26 will dig into the bottom and that the structure will be firmly held against it. To this end, the tanks may be fully flooded. In the event that the drilling operation results in a dry hole, the barges may be returned to the position shown in FIG. 3 by forcing air into the various tanks and discharging the water or by utilizing submersible or deep well pumps. The barges are freed of any interconnections such as the cable 67 and may be towed to another location. In the event that the well proves productive, or if for any other reason it is desired to leave a permanent structure at the well site, piling 68 is run through the guides 20 and driven into the bottom. The piling is then securely fixed to the piling guides 20 as, for example, by welding. If the columns 18 and tanks are not already fully flooded, they are so floooded and the tanks 36 are either left fully flooded or preferably are removed. The removal may be effected with a burning torch. The barges may be further secured together by any suitable means additional to the lashing 67; for example, by welding suitable bars or beams thereto. Thus a permanent structure may be quickly provided where desired.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for supporting marine drilling or producing equipment, a plurality of barges including a main barge and one or more auxiliary barges, each barge being elongated and having a number of floodable buoyant tanks capable, when empty, of floating the barge of which they are components, said tanks including fore tanks adjacent one end thereof and aft tanks adjacent the other end, said aft tanks being floodable independently of said fore tanks whereby the fore tanks may be kept buoyant by remaining unflooded keeping the fore portion of each barge afloat and the aft tanks may be flooded causing the aft end of each barge to sink while the fore portion may remain afloat, a work platform pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said main barge, means for swinging said platform to maintain it in horizontal position when said main barge assumes an angular position upon sinking of the aft end of said barge, means connecting the forward end of the main barge to the forward end of each of said auxiliary barges with the aft end of each auxiliary barge sunk, each barge constituting a downwardly and outwardly extending leg of a support for said platform.

2. In apparatus for supporting marine oil field production equipment comprising a plurality of barges including a main barge and one or more auxiliary barges, each barge being elongated and having a number of floodable buoyant tanks capable, when empty, of floating the barge of which they are components, said tanks including fore tanks adjacent one end thereof and aft tanks adjacent the other end, said aft tanks being floodable independently of said fore tanks whereby said fore tanks may be kept buoyant by remaining unflooded keeping the fore portion of each barge afloat and the aft tanks may be flooded causing the aft end of each barge to sink while the fore portion may remain afloat, a work platform mounted adjacent the forward end of said main barge, means to maintain said platform in horizontal position when said main barge assumes an angular position upon sinking of the aft end of said barge, means connecting the forward end of the main barge to the forward end of each of said auxiliary barges with the aft end of each auxiliary barge sunk, each barge constituting a downwardly and outwardly extending leg of a support for said platform.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said barges include separate compartments and piping for oil storage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,586,966 Kuss et a1 Feb. 26, 1952 2,597,110 Lacy May 20, 1952 2,677,935 Schauffele May 11, 1954 2,775,095 Harris Dec. 25, 1956 2,857,744 Swiger et al Oct. 28, 1958 2,995,900 Hunsucker Aug. 15, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 699,624 Great Britain Nov. 11, 1953 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING MARINE DRILLING OR PRODUCING EQUIPMENT, A PLURALITY OF BARGES INCLUDING A MAIN BARGE AND ONE OR MORE AUXILIARY BARGES, EACH BARGE BEING ELONGATED AND HAVING A NUMBER OF FLOODABLE BUOYANT TANKS CAPABLE, WHEN EMPTY, OF FLOATING THE BARGE OF WHICH THEY ARE COMPONENT, SAID TANKS INCLUDING FORE TANKS ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF AND AFT TANKS ADJACENT THE OTHER END, SAID AFT TANKS BEING FLOODABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID FORE TANKS WHEREBY THE FORE TANKS MAY BE KEPT BUOYANT BY REMAINING UNFLOODED KEEPING THE FORE PORTION OF EACH BARGE AFLOAT AND THE AFT TANKS MAY BE FLOODED CAUSING THE AFT END OF EACH BARGE TO SINK WHILE THE FORE PORTION MAY REMAIN AFLOAT, A WORK PLATFORM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE FORWARD END OF SAID MAIN BARGE, MEANS FOR SWINGING SAID PLATFORM TO MAINTAIN IT IN HORIZONTAL POSITION WHEN SAID MAIN BARGE ASSUMES AN ANGULAR POSITION UPON SINKING OF THE AFT END OF SAID BARGE, MEANS CONNECTING THE FORWARD END OF THE MAIN BARGE TO THE FORWARD END OF EACH OF SAID AUXILIARY BARGE WITH THE AFT END OF EACH AUXILIARY BARGE SUNK, EACH BARGE CONSITUTING A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY EXTENDING LEG OF A SUPPORT FOR SAID PLATFORM. 